The Wasatch Behind: America, what happened?

What happened to the country I grew up in? Things used to be so simple. Everyone knew what was right and wrong and we were proud to be Americans.We were also a Christian nation. No one apologized for that.

Everyone seemed to share common goals and values when I was a kid. We were expected to work hard, get an education, raise a good family, keep your word, and be a good neighbor. Patriotism was expected, even demanded, as a mark of citizenship. Fidelity in marriage was an honorable trait, and admired. People took oaths and marriage vows seriously. A man was measured more by his character than his money. Honesty and integrity were expected in the halls of government and in our courts of law. God was alive and He looked after us. Santa Claus was watching so we had to be good little boys and girls.

How is it these things are made light of, and even ridiculed today? We are bombarded by TV shows, entertainers, music, pop culture icons, liberal elitists, even government functionaries and politicians who belittle and make fun of the things I have always held dear. How did this happen, and why?

When did we start being ashamed of Christianity? Why does our new president make speeches telling the world we are not a Christian nation? Who decided we can't pray at school and public gatherings anymore, and why do we tolerate it? Why can't we have the Ten Commandments and nativity scenes in front of public buildings? Why do they want to take "In God we Trust" off our money and "One Nation Under God" out of our pledge of allegiance? Is our Christian God too judgmental? Is God's intolerance of sin offensive to some of our fellow citizens who commit sin? Does our constitution guarantee freedom "of " religion, or freedom "from" religion? It's time to decide.

Why can't we be proud of our nation anymore? Our democratic government and standard of living are the benchmark for the whole world. People flock here from all other nations to share in what we have. We have been the most prosperous, generous, and giving nation in all of world history. In World War II we saved the world from tyranny and were merciful to our defeated enemies. Since then, our soldiers have fought and died all over the world to promote peace and freedom. I will not be ashamed of this country. I'm proud to be an American, in spite of what Michael Moore and Michele Obama might have to say about it.

When did we decide that government owed us a living? Some people feel entitled to have everything given to them. Why? What happened to hard work and earning your own way? In this land of opportunity, redistributing the wealth by taxing the rich and giving to the poor only entrenches the dependant, lower class. The promise of good jobs, wealth, and opportunity should be incentive enough for people to work their way out of poverty. It worked for my Irish ancestors, and the opportunities are still there today. Free bread and circuses are how politicians have been buying votes since the days of the Roman Empire.

When did it become fashionable to shack-up instead of get married? When did unmarried teenaged motherhood become openly accepted? When did we stop placing value on virginity, or at least abstinence? When did our families start to fall apart? Why are most kids today being raised by daycare and television? Is it any wonder they have no moral foundation, direction, or hope for the future?

What's with the tattoos, gothic hairdos and facial piercings? Are these the same people who complain they can't find good jobs? When did homosexuals first feel free to openly parade down our city streets, half naked, suggestive, provocative, and in your face while demanding tolerance and nonjudgmental behavior from the rest of us? When did illegal aliens decide they could march under the Mexican flag and demand that we ignore our laws and treat them as equals? This while they continue to embrace their former country, language, and culture. Is illegal immigration a modern Trojan horse? I wonder.

When did politicians begin ignoring our constitution? Why do our courts allow it? It is unconstitutional for congress to make us buy health insurance, or any other product or service. What happened to freedom and self-determination? Our nation was founded on those principles. How can they pass hate-crimes legislation when the fourteenth amendment expressly forbids it? How can government illegally take over whole large segments of our economy and call it bailouts or economic stimulus? How did lying and cheating become assets for politicians? We have crooks and tax cheats in our highest offices of government. Why do we tolerate it?

Maybe I'm old fashioned. Maybe I'm over the hill. Maybe I'm just an ornery old grandpa longing for the world of his youth. But I do remember how things used to be, and things were better then. Ozzie and Harriet might have been fictional characters, but they were better role models than Bart Simpson or Beevis and Butthead. I think it's time we take our country back.